Villa Aemelii
Name: Vibius Aemelius Strabo
Age: 41
Class: Patrician
Personality Traits: Strabo sees himself as the model Roman. Whether or not this is true is debatable. He allows himself only the smallest amounts of drink (as not to drink at all would be un-Roman) and tries to refrain from excess. Unfortunately this has left him with rather a stolid manner. Despite this, when cornered, his passion burns fervently for Rome. Although he claims that his only ambition is the glory of the Republic, deep down Strabo has desires just like any man. He simply shrouds his in a fabric of patriotism. His 5 year imprisonment by the Epirotes also served to exaggerate many of his failings. His patriotism has reached higher levels while his mortal mind seeks to make up for time lost with a ruthless ambition. His imprisonment also turned his relative dislike of the Greeks into a near fanatical hatred. If this drive will lead him to ruin or power remains to be seen…
Background: Strabo was born to a wealthy Patrician family. He was given a basic education by his Greek tutor, Eucledies, whom he despised. Strabo was fond of haggling and deal making; this inclination served to create many awkward situations in which his embarrassed tutor would be forced to drag him away from a trader or craftsman whom Strabo would be trying to finagle a better price from. His inner burning of love for the Republic was only further kindled by the schools of politics and law he attended.
Upon his ascension to manhood, he served his 10 year military service exceedingly happily. His behavior was noted to be valiant, if not exactly superb. At the battle of Arretium in 469 AUC, he was grievously wounded by a Celtic slingshot to the left shoulder, leaving the arm stiff and difficult to move. He remained in the army, but was relegated to logistical duties. The shame of this injury would haunt Strabo for his entire career. Finally finishing his term, he entered the Senate, a post he had been dreaming of all his life. However, he soon realized that respect did not come easily, usually with seniority. So he performed the tasks of a senator quietly, rarely speaking up, except on one occasion. He saw fit to speak out against a military proposal that had the support of the entire war faction. The proposal in question was to send a diplomatic mission to Pyrrhus in an effort to stop the war that was, honestly, inevitable at that point. It passed, and Strabo was volunteered by the war faction to lead the mission. That also passed.
When he arrived in Pyrrhus’ camp, the usually level headed general was not pleased. He was taken prisoner. Although his actual confinement was not entirely maddening, aside from the years of isolation, it was the sea voyage to Greece that really impacted Strabo. The ship master, a large, cruel man named Kallos, took a disliking to Strabo and ensured he was given no food, little water, and nothing in the ways of comforts. This was quite the shock to Strabo’s patrician soul. He arrived in Ambrakia and was held in a small villa just outside the city. Although the villa was quite nice, Strabo was confined to house arrest, only allowed to go outside for exercise once a day. Strabo took this opportunity to pen his memoirs. When his multi-scroll work was complete, Strabo handed his works to the jailor, who promised to see them published. Unbeknownst to Strabo, however, the manuscript was instead used as toilet paper at the local barracks. Finally, after 5 years, Strabo was released and allowed back to Rome, a city he had been unacquainted with for quite some time…
Physical Apperance: Strabo has light brown hair, kept moderately short. He is clean shaven. His left arm is oddly held, bending slightly off from the norm. He is not muscular, actually appearing rather emaciated. He is somewhat short, not unusual for a Roman. His skin is tan.
Familiy: Strabo's mother and father are both deceased. His elder brother, Titus, passed during Strabo's imprisonment. Strabo had a wife, but she died during childbirth, as did the infant.
As you approach the villa, you notice that it is gone. In its place is a burnt husk, being picked through and attended by many slaves.
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